TAC working under Appellate Div time-frame
Thursday, 27 November 2008
The Truth and Accountability Commission (TAC) Chairman Justice Habibur Rahman Khan said Wednesday that they are working to wind up the Commission's activities within the period allowed by the Appellate Division, reports UNB.
A division bench of the High Court on November 13 declared Tac illegal. But on November 16, the Appellate Division stayed the order for a month allowing the Commission to resume its activities.
The tenure of the Commission, which was formed through an ordinance, is scheduled to expire on January 2, 2009.
"We are working taking one month as our target," Tac chairman told a questioner at the regular weekly briefing Wednesday afternoon.
Responding to a volley of questions, he insisted that following the stay order of the Appellate Division there was no restriction on them to work -- legally, morally and ethically.
Explaining reasons for resuming activities after the legal wrangling, Justice Khan said they have started working again considering the situation of those who had approached the Commission. "It would have been inhuman had we not resumed work."
In reply to a question, he said he has not yet received the copy of the High Court judgment and after receiving the copy he would decide if Tac itself would appear in the Appellate Division.
Asked what would happen to those about whom Tac made decisions if the Appellate Division upholds the High Court verdict, Justice Khan said, "It may be or may not be. (If upheld) there will be a way. On many occasions, the court says what has been done has been done. I am not saying the court says so."
He added: "Law will be the only guiding force. Why shall we refrain from working thinking what will happen then?"
A division bench of the High Court on November 13 declared Tac illegal. But on November 16, the Appellate Division stayed the order for a month allowing the Commission to resume its activities.
The tenure of the Commission, which was formed through an ordinance, is scheduled to expire on January 2, 2009.
"We are working taking one month as our target," Tac chairman told a questioner at the regular weekly briefing Wednesday afternoon.
Responding to a volley of questions, he insisted that following the stay order of the Appellate Division there was no restriction on them to work -- legally, morally and ethically.
Explaining reasons for resuming activities after the legal wrangling, Justice Khan said they have started working again considering the situation of those who had approached the Commission. "It would have been inhuman had we not resumed work."
In reply to a question, he said he has not yet received the copy of the High Court judgment and after receiving the copy he would decide if Tac itself would appear in the Appellate Division.
Asked what would happen to those about whom Tac made decisions if the Appellate Division upholds the High Court verdict, Justice Khan said, "It may be or may not be. (If upheld) there will be a way. On many occasions, the court says what has been done has been done. I am not saying the court says so."
He added: "Law will be the only guiding force. Why shall we refrain from working thinking what will happen then?"